Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Today I tried to extract information from the Taoiseach on the status of the fair deal scheme. He ends his time as Taoiseach as he began by keeping his cards close to his chest. I could only get an indication — I could not call it a commitment — that the health (long-term residential care services) Bill would be published in this term. Nothing was said to address the concern and distress caused to older people and their families by the current uncertainty over this scheme. A debacle is the only word I can use to describe that the legislation is mired in problems. I ask the Minister of State to confirm whether the €110 million allocated to the scheme has now been diverted. I also ask the Minister of State to where it has been diverted if that is the case. Will it be used to provide alternative services for older people?

In November 2007, nine organisations working with older people joined together to express their concern at the fair deal proposals. They raised the lack of clarity about what older people would be entitled to. They also stated the scheme was an erosion of the entitlement to State-funded long-term care in public nursing homes through the State's proposed claim to a proportion of all disposable income as well as up to 15% of the estate after death. It seems that this property provision has caused the constitutional and other legal difficulties for the legislation. That problem should have been obvious to the Minister, the Cabinet and the drafters of the proposed legislation. The Government failed to heed the warnings and now €100 million allocated to the scheme is to be diverted. This is gross mismanagement and older people in nursing homes or those who expect to enter such care are being left in a state of doubt and confusion again. Instead of proceeding with this scheme the Government should move towards direct provision of care for older people in their homes, the community and, where necessary, in public nursing homes.

On a related matter, I deplore the decision of the HSE to close 12 respite beds for patients with Alzheimer's disease in Cherry Orchard Hospital. Approximately 24 individuals are affected, for many of whom residential care is not available. Now even respite care is being taken away. I urge the Minister of State to have that specific and disgraceful development addressed urgently.

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